A couple of questions about nanny interviews

[MrsFogi]

I've just completed first interviews for nannies and now have a couple I need to decide between. I did the first interview without the children around so I'd now like to organise a time for the potential nannies to meet the children to see how they interact with each other etc. How do people normally set this up - how long, do you set an activity or let them decide what to do, do you watch (is this not weird - I know my children behave differently when there are a few adults around) etc etc?
Also, at what stage do you check references - after the first interview or after the second one?

I'm a nanny. I would check references before the second interview, that way if there is a problem then the children don't meet her unnecessarily.

I have mainly nannied for babies and so they have been there for the first interview (although a couple were not born!) I haven't been asked to do second interviews.

How old are the children? I think that if I were in this position, I would like the parents to be around. And just to go with the flow, asking the children to show me their toys, read a book, that sort of thing.

Most of my (successful) interviews have lasted around 2 hours.

Good luck! I hate interviews!

Check refs then organise interviews.

It depends what qualities you're looking to test. If it's just to check out how they get on I'd give them a steer on what to do. If you're looking for the nanny to display initiative and see what they're likely to get to with your DCs then give them free reign.

I'd join in then find an excuse to pop out for 10 mins - phone call, make a cuppa - to see how they cope on their own.

Good luck!

Yep, that's how I've done it. Check refs, then organise an hour or two to all play together, including some discreet listening in time. I think you can tell very well from your Dc's general mood and response how they will take to them. One I interviewed talked over my DD all the time, which I didn't like. THe one I hired was instinctively tuned into dd and her focus was on her, which I like. Trust your instincts, I think.